Admissions:
Connected,
Compassionate
Care Begins Here

We do not have set visiting hours at Cavalier, nor do we dictate how often family and friends visit our residents. We do ask that you respect the hours that the patient may be in therapy, dining, or sleeping. Please note that our medicare patients have set therapy schedules. Before visiting, we encourage you to contact the facility to make sure that patient is available. Additionally, at any given time, we may have CDC and the Alabama Department of Health provide county or statewide visitation policies due to circumstances like COVID-19. Cavalier will then inform patient representatives of those special visiting hours should they occur.

The residents at Cavalier Healthcare must be seen by a physician at least once every 30 days for the first 90 days after admission, and at least once every 60 days thereafter. Physician involvement at Cavalier Healthcare is essential to the delivery of quality skilled nursing and long-term care. Our physicians lead the clinical decision-making for patients under our care. We listen to our families and our trained clinical staff to identify other physician-related visits. Those with physician specialist needs such as cardiology, nephrology, orthopedic care, and many other specialized fields of medicine are still able to use these physicians. Cavalier provides complimentary transportation to those specialist visits.

At Cavalier Healthcare, residents are typically permitted to take some time away from the facility. Leaving Cavalier Healthcare for non-medical reasons is referred to as “therapeutic leave” (defined as a home or family visit) or a temporary leave of absence (LOA). Note that non-medical leave is different from being formally discharged from a facility and from temporarily leaving a facility due to hospitalization or transfer to another health care facility.
Assuming the health of the resident permits and their doctor agrees, the resident can leave Cavalier for a few hours or days to spend time visiting with friends and/or family. Such a leave of absence must be arranged well in advance with Cavalier staff so they have time to prepare any medications the patient will need as well as instructions for the temporary family caregivers.
In addition, there are specific rules for these outings, depending on the resident’s method of payment. Medicaid, Medicare and private insurance all have different policies on top of the facility’s own unique regulations. Giving a facility plenty of notice will ensure there are no surprise costs, lapses in care or other misunderstandings if a resident decides to take a leave of absence.

Before you enter Cavalier Healthcare, we are already working with you, the hospital, home health, hospice and your physician on what medications you will be prescribed while you are in our care. We have strict federal and state regulation by which we must abide. Before you are admitted to Cavalier, we order the necessary medications for you, and your medications will be on hand upon admittance to the facility. Respite patients, however, bring their own medications from home, which must be in bottles clearly labeled with patient information.

Have your paperwork in order
During the admission process, there are many documents the team at Cavalier will need from you, so have these gathered and ready for the team. These will include your proof of medical insurance, social security card, state driver’s license or photo ID card, copies of physician directives for skilled nursing care, and any power of attorney documentation or court order.

Leave monetary valuables at home
While you may want to bring your phone or a personal electronic device for your own use, Cavalier Healthcare maintains patient and resident trust funds to help fund small purchases, so large amounts of cash are unnecessary. Also, leave fine jewelry or other valuables at home or with a trusted loved one.

Bring clothes and toiletries
Cavalier Healthcare does provide basic toiletries for your stay, but patients need to bring clothes and shoes to help you feel more like YOU. Make sure whatever clothes you bring are not constrictive and allow caregivers to access what they need to provide effective care. We provide complimentary laundry services during your stay.

Make your room your “home,” even if it’s just temporary
Unless you are preparing for a very long term stay at Cavalier, you will be unable to bring large furniture or other decor items. However, you may want to bring some favorite pictures or a snuggly blanket that comforts you. Have your family create some inspiring art pieces – usually done by children – to provide encouragement and color in your room.

The difference between skilled nursing and long-term care is that, if needed, a patient may transition from rehabilitation and stay permanently at Cavalier Healthcare. This process of transition of care is seamless for patients who require this transition.

Cavalier Healthcare is often utilized for care after a hospital stay following an accident, severe illness, or surgery to help a patient regain their ability to do activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, cooking, personal hygiene, walking, and getting into/out of a bed or chair. Our goal is to restore function following an illness or injury so older adults can get back to the people and activities that they love.

A skilled nursing facility is a facility (like Cavalier) which specializes in a high level of care medically necessary for rehabilitation treatment for patients needing 24/7 care and requiring advanced trained staff. Skilled nursing care must be provided by or under the direct supervision of licensed health professionals, such as registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), speech/language pathologists, and physical/occupational therapists, and/or physicians.